Grandpa's 90th Birthday!

We were blessed to have the opportunity to gather in Illinois for my Grandfather's 90th Birthday last weekend.  He turned 90 on 6/29, and family from MN, CA, NJ, and IL gathered to celebrate.

Before we left, the kids and I spent the day baking and made some cookies for the drive (a tradition from when we used to go on our road trips to see Grandma and Grandpa B each year and had chocolate chip cookies for the ride).

My little helpers loved helping mix the dough and, of course, licking the beaters. 

They were so excited that they sat by the oven to watch them bake.

We arrived on Thursday evening and went right to Grandpa's place to see him.  Then we went out to dinner and got to hang out at Uncle Jim's for the evening while waiting for the rest of the crew to arrive.  Kevin and Keng with little Owen flew into Chicago and joined us Thursday evening.  We got to meet Owen for the first time and the kids were absolutely enthralled!

 I got to snuggle Owen and feed him a bottle...of course with little helpers.

 Austin and Sarah were so excited to hold him.

Great Grandpa meeting his newest great grandson. 

 Nanny getting some snuggles.

 And helping the kiddos hold their cousin.

 We stayed in a hotel and the kids had fun sleeping in a big bed together.  So cute!

More family fun...

Beautiful Keng and her adorable little Owen!

 Cute! Cute! and more Cute!

On Friday, June 29, Grandpa (Great-Grandpa to the kids) turned 90!  We had a party to celebrate.

Sarah was excited to wear her party dress and new sandals.

 Austin was not so thrilled about taking a photo.

But when I pretended to be coming at him to tickle him, he smiled and giggled and Sarah threw herself over him to protect him from the Mommy Tickle Monster.

 Party time!

 The guest of honor arrives...

Steve with Uncle Tom (~94 years old and still active as ever!).  Tommy even called after getting home from the weekend and played "Happy Birthday" for Grandpa over the phone on his trumpet!

 Me with Tom and Mare.  Mary turns 90 soon too!

Auntie Michelle and Austin

 Mom and I

Dad with his girls (in this photo, I'm hoping that I don't break his legs...I'm not exactly petite at 32 weeks pregnant!).

...and with his granddaughter.

 Aunt Kathy got Grandpa a cake just like the kind Grandma used to bake for him!

Melanie is in Ghana this summer and so was unable to join us in person, but we were able to get her on the iPad using face time and send her our love from afar.

Kevin, Keng, and Owen.  We are so happy they were able to come from California to join the fun!

Sarah being a little "helper" again.  I'm hoping when our baby boy comes in August, the novelty wears off after a while and she's not quite so "helpful".

 Great Grandpa with Owen. Smiles all around. 

 The boys...4 generations together.

 The girls with Grandpa.

 Grandpa with his kiddos. 

 Birthday cake!

 The kids helped Great Grandpa blow out the candles.

 The whole crew.

 The Minnesota (and former Minnesota) Brints.

After the party, we hung out at Uncle Jim's house.  He has an amazing backyard with open space, lots of mature trees for shade and climbing, a swing set and sandbox, sprinklers, patio furniture to lounge on, and a tractor for mowing (or riding for fun).  It was a hot weekend, but the nice shady yard was beautiful.  The kids had a blast! They totally wore themselves out and got soaking wet, sweaty, dirty, and were in heaven!

 Climbing trees...

 Swinging...

 Tractor rides...

Beach ball catch... 

What else could a kid want?

 Sarah still always a "helper" with Owen at every opportunity...

 Steve got lots of smiles from Owen by dancing with him out on the patio.  What a pro!

After dark, we got the fire pit started and roasted marshmallows for s'mores!

Check out these sweaty, wet, sticky, messy, happy kids!

 And by the end of the night...worn out kids!

The trip was great and we were so happy to spend some time with family!  Hopefully it isn't so long before we get to see everybody again!